‘Lily, perhaps you could make the coffee?’
‘Sure,’ said Lily, moving behind the counter.
‘Just wait till you taste it,’ said Felix to Hattie, his voice filled with pride. ‘I hate to say it, but I think she may be a better barista than me.’
‘You’ve been training her up?’
‘Yes, I needed help with the coffees, what with everything else there is to do.’
‘It seems like you’re on top of things,’ said Hattie, looking around the café and nodding her approval.
‘We make a good team,’ said Felix, pulling Sarah down to sit beside him.
‘Can someone help me up?’ came a voice from beneath a table.
‘Oh my God, Joy, I’m so sorry I forgot you were under there.’ Kate bent down and offered a hand to Joy, lifting the old lady to her feet.
‘I’m too old for hide and seek,’ said Joy, smoothing down her skirt. ‘I got down there all right, but then my knees seized up and I was stuck.’ Kate took Joy’s arm and helped her into a seat.
‘I can’t believe you’ve all gone to so much trouble,’ said Fran, looking around at theWelcome Homebanner and balloons.
‘We’ve missed you,’ said Sarah. ‘It hasn’t been the same without you. As the weeks wore on, I worried you’d emigrated for good.’
‘It was tempting,’ said Fran, ‘but they’d never let me settle in Australia at my age.’
‘I’m sorry for you, but pleased for us,’ said Felix. ‘We’ve got a big event coming up next month and need your help.’
‘What kind of event?’ asked Fran. ‘I could try out some of the fancy recipes I’ve been sampling at Millie’s restaurant.’
Felix looked at Sarah and grinned. ‘Fancy food sounds good. Go on,’ he said to Sarah, ‘show them.’
Sarah held out her hand, showing off a simple wooden band on her left ring finger.
Fran’s eyes filled with tears as she took Sarah’s hand and stroked the ring. ‘About bloody time,’ she said. ‘I could have predicted this moment the second a frosty young Sarah arrived and started bickering with the handsome barista.’
Felix shuddered. ‘I’m not sure I could have predicted falling for Sarah back then. She bit my head off at every opportunity.’
‘Hey,’ said Sarah, ‘that’s your future wife you’re talking about.’
‘Sorry,’ said Felix, looking sheepish.
‘Thank you,’ said Sarah, as one by one her friends offered their congratulations.
‘I get to be a bridesmaid,’ said Lily, carrying a tray of coffees to the table.
‘Mmm,’ said Millie, taking a sip from her cup. ‘This is good. If you ever fancy a change of scene, there’ll be a job for you at my restaurant.’
‘Hey,’ said Felix, ‘it’s bad enough we only get her in the holidays, without you tempting her off to Australia.’
‘How’s uni going?’ asked Hattie.
‘Great,’ said Lily, ‘but I miss the woods. I’m hoping I can get a job with the forestry commission once I’ve finished my studies.’
‘That sounds great,’ said Hattie. ‘And Sarah, how are things with you?’
‘Good, thanks. Mum’s still living in Spain, which is best for everyone. Dad’s travelling the UK in a motorhome with his new wife.’
‘Evil stepmother?’
